Best Tips to Keep Geraniums Blooming

I have had great success growing Geraniums for several years. I don’t claim to be a master gardener or an expert, however I was taught this trick by an eccentric master gardener and it has served me well for many years.

Today I’m answering the question of how to keep geranium flowers blooming and are geraniums perennials? How to save your geraniums for next spring and more.

This is the lesson I learned from my eccentric but very talented friend. She said the best tip to keep geranium flowers blooming all summer long, is to break off the blooms almost as soon as they appear! What???? I was shocked and upset when one day, she started to remove all the beautiful blooms from my plant. Although she explained why, I still wasn’t so sure. However, I’ve never forgotten her or her tips and here’s the results.

Filling the galvanized containers and hanging welcome baskets with red geraniums makes the porch have a patriotic feel.

What Are The Best Care Tips for Geraniums

First, geraniums are hardy, need less water and enjoy a sunny spot.

There are some types of geraniums that are perennial and can survive in ground in warmer climates. However, in this post I’m referring to potted geraniums.

I always have several on my front porch which receives intense evening sun and they thrive there.

You can also see more tips to keep your porches looking fresh all summer long here.

I shared this outdoor kitchen tour and used several of my geraniums to brighten the space.

#1 Tip – Deadhead to Keep Geraniums Blooming

This is so super easy to do because they pinch off so easily. Just follow the bloom stem to the point it connects to the larger stem and you will feel a slight nub. Break at the nub and remove the bloom.

Dead Head from the base of the stem.

This is a bloom that I would remove.

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You will be resistant to removing a beautiful bloom and honestly you CAN wait until you see it start to fade. But don’t let it linger to long or you’ll slow down the process. Note: When I know I have company coming or plan to photograph my plants, I don’t remove the blooms until they are almost completely spent.

#2 Tip – Remove dead or fading leaves

Just as important as removing the bloom, dead leaves and those that are fading, will continue to draw nutrients from the plant. I make a practice to remove those each time I deadhead the blooms. You also want to remove the leaf at the nub as well.

You can see the slight nub at the end of the blooms and leaves.

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#3 Tip – Water REGULARLY But Not To Often

Geraniums don’t require daily watering. Usually 3 times a week will keep them healthy. Obviously, during extreme heat, you may need to give them an extra drink or two. I also, feed my geraniums at least every two weeks for Miracle Grow Plant Food.

#4 Tip – Use Geranium Flowers

If you are deadheading your blooms frequently, don’t just toss those lovely geranium flowers. Bring them inside and enjoy the blooms.

How Can I Save My Plant While on Vacation?

Here is another tip by friend shared with me about keeping my geraniums looking good all summer long. Remove all the blooms before you go on vacation.

If you plan to be gone for several days, you are not going to miss these blooms anyway.

Nutrients will be saved and most likely you’ll return to a plant full of blooms.

After one week on vacation, the above blooms were waiting for me when I returned home.

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Are Geraniums Perennials?

Are geraniums perennials? That’s a good question!

There are some variations of geraniums that are perennials however most will freeze and not return next spring. A lot depends on how the geraniums are planted and the hardiness zone you live in.

In our zone 7 area, I’ve never had one to survive even a mild winter if left outdoors. However you can save geraniums from year too year with these tips to overwinter them.

I’ve had good success dividing my geraniums at the end of the season and therefore having several new plants once spring arrives.

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A Brief Friendship Has Life Changing Impact

My friend was a talented interior designer as well as a master gardener. She shared so many design ideas with me that I still use today in my home decor. She died shortly after I met her but her impact on my design style lives on. In addition, every time I remove a geranium bloom, I think of her.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

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